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THE CONFECTIONERY 
OF MONSIEUR GIRON 



/ love everything that's old. 

— Mr. Hardcastle 



h. 



JAN 12 i9!6 



®CU4i8eu3 



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To 

The Tramylcanian, 1829-1915 

Oldest College Magazine in America 



In a somewhat different and briefer form The Con- 
fectionery of Monsieur Giron appeared for the first 
time in The Transyloanian for April, 1907. It was 
reprinted in The Lexington Herald for August 1 5th, 
1915. Since that time, — even while this final form of 
the essay was preparing for the press— the Confectionery 

has been sadly dismantled. 

W. K. D. 

^Warrenton^: Richmond , Kentucky 
December, 1915 



gW^W^g^V^'gg^iP^'M^'H g S 




^----■U-U%^%-JV%^-'^nj^iHtf'^525«iP«Vi 



THE CONFECTIONERY OF M. GIRON 



THE CONFECTIONERY 
OF MONSIEUR GIRON 

An Essay 

By 
William Kavanaugh Doty, A. B., LL. B. 

Editor-m-Chief of The Transyloanian, Transylvania 
University. 1907-08; Editor-in-Chief of TheUnioer- 
sily of Virginia Magazine, 1909-10; Founder and 
Editor-in-Chief of The Flat Hat. College of William 
and Mary. 1911-12. 



Charlotiesville 

THE MICHIE COMPANY 

MDCCCCXV 






Copyright 

William Kavanaugh Doty 

1915 



J 



THE CONFECTIONERY 
OF MONSIEUR GIRON 



I 

TT may be that Lexington, Ken- 
-*■ tucky, is the most famous lit- 
tle city in the United States. But 
whether it be or no, it is among 
the quaintest of places and one of 
the most unique. Its reputation 
and distinction do not depend 
upon a solitary claim — not alone 
upon horses and hemp, tobacco 
and whiskey — but upon nearly 
every degree of progress and 
every phase of human endeavour. 
Christened with the news of the 
patriot blood spilled at Lexington, 
its natal day was coeval with that 
of the Republic, and following 

[7] 



thence, its own annals have re- 
produced largely the history of 
the State and Nation. 

The streets of the present day 
are of many widths, varying from 
those of the pioneer village to 
those of a busy city — throbbing 
heart of the entire Blue Grass 
Country. Side by side stand the 
old rambling mansions of slave 
days with the newer residences, 
more consciously compact; and 
nestling there between buildings of 
dizzy heights is the small two- 
storied structure with roof slant- 
ing steep to the street over small- 
paned windows — the business 
house of an ante-bellum metrop- 
olis. A strange mingling, this, of 
ease and opulence, commercialism 
and romance, history, made, and 
history, making; and whoever is 
even so slightly versed in the his- 
tory, traditions, and associations 

[8] 



that enshroud the streets of this 
Kentucky Lexington, will find a 
zestful pleasure in walking through 
them — diversified as they are with 
commingled styles of architec- 
ture, lawns, and gardens, covering 
the entire nineteenth century and 
overlapping the eighteenth and 
twentieth — if he dwell for a time 
about those scenes of especial in- 
terest, minded only of the past. 

Thus, putting aside for a while 
all thoughts of the present with 
the rush and bustle of the time, it 
is something akin to a joyous in- 
spiration to look upon the oldest 
institution of learning west of the 
Alleghenies ... to know that in 
that house over there the Mar- 
quis de La Fayette was enter- 
tained, and addressed from the 
steps in front a crowd of enthu- 
siastic Kentuckians ... to see, 
farther down, the law office of Mr. 

[9] 



Clay, and opposite, his residence 
previous to Ashland ... in sight 
of this the spot whereon John 
Bradford printed the Kentucke 
Gazette, first newspaper in the 
West . . . and adjoining that, the 
Confectionery of M. Giron, con- 
taining the beautiful dancing- 
rooms of former time. Then 
there are countless others: let 
Postmaster Ficklin's house be 
mentioned, where Jefferson Davis 
lived while a student at Transyl- 
vania; the Elkhorn, first water to 
be plowed by the first successful 
steamboat in the world — that of 
Edward West in 1793; Postle- 
thwaite's Tavern (now the Phoenix 
Hotel); and the church of the 
Reverend James Moore, sweet- 
souled parson upon whose ears 
forever smote the sweet celestial 
harmony of the spheres like mu- 
sic playing in the distance; — all 

[10] 



perpetuated in song and story to 
represent a short but most roman- 
tic portion of the history of the 
United States. 



[11] 



II 

npHE Confectionery of M. Gi- 
-*- ron stands out as one of 
the most colourful, though not 
the most noted, of all the places 
in Lexington. At this far time it 
owes its chiefest interest to Mr. 
James Lane Allen's story, King 
Solomon of Kentucky, long pointed 
to by eminent critics as one of 
the best in the English language. 
Therein may be seen, as afar 
down the dim aisle of Memory, M. 
Giron, his Confectionery, and his 
Ball-Rooms, set forth by the hand 
of a master in bright colours and 
strong, yet soft and mellow as if 
by age. 

This M. Mathurin Giron emi- 
grated from France to America 
and entered the fair land of Ken- 

[13] 



tucky somewhere near the divid- 
ing line of the eighteenth and 
nineteenth centuries. His advent 
can not be nearer ascertained. He 
is unlike many characters in leg- 
endary and historical fiction who, 
when traced through the misty 
years to their daily lives, and sub- 
jected to the critical test of se- 
rious research, lose most of the 
subtle charm pervading them as 
personcs of a beautiful story. Their 
beauty, bravery, and brocaded cos- 
tumes are dissipated all too often 
as the clear light of cold scrutiny 
falls upon them. Not so with M. 
Giron — "that M. Giron who made 
the tall pyramids of meringues 
and macaroons for wedding sup- 
pers, and spun around them a 
cloud of candied webbing as white 
and misty as the veil of the bride." 
He stands out lovable, in fact as 
in fiction. Not even the skilled 

[13] 



hand of him who has saved his 
name from oblivion could add a 
further lustre to his being. 
Whether viewing him through the 
pages of a romance, or looking 
into the musty old record-books 
of the county for a summary of 
his earthly barterings, or listening 
to the narrative of oral tradition 
from some aged townsman, he 
measures to the stature of a per- 
sonage of no little charm and con- 
sequence. 

He was an attractive little fig- 
ure, as they say, rotund and rosy, 
suave and sunny. But how small 
of stature — scarcely over five feet 
in height ! And how ample of 
girth ! Being, therefore (unlike 
the most of us), as broad as he 
was deep; or nearer yet, not shal- 
low because he was wide. His 
dress was something Frenchy, if 
not fastidious; his face was 

[14] 



smooth-shaven; his speech was a 
piquant, broken English with an 
animating accent. Moreover, he 
was a gentleman of exceeding tact 
and kindliness, possessing the rare 
human quality of sympathy; was 
ever active, cordial, and merry; 
and a man, withal, of great adapt- 
ability, who never alienated a 
friend, never irritated an enemy. 

Naturally enough such a man as 
was Mathurin Giron, who had 
dwelt in a far country and seen 
much of the world in the bargain, 
would be of more than passing in- 
terest in those days in Kentucky. 
And the more especially so when 
he would tell at length to his won- 
dering auditors the stories of his 
travels and adventures (actual or 
not) in other times and other 
climes: for the associated press 
and the railways had not as yet 
dispelled as a mist of the morning 

[15] 



the vast, dense Wilderness lying 
between Kentucky and the Old 
Settlement, Virginia. The people 
were all but shut in from the news 
and happenings of the outside 
world. But few books and tidings 
from other lands were finding 
their way across the Allegheny 
barrier. M. Giron, then, was a 
transplanted cutting of European 
wonders, a veritable summary of 
Old World events. He claimed to 
have been a French grenadier, and 
in Napoleon's Guard — a thing 
much doubted by reason of his 
height, — and said as how he had 
lived in nearly every country of 
Europe. One day, surrounded by 
the usual group of admirers, he 
enumerated the places he had vis- 
ited and the countries in which 
he had lived, not forgetting to 
give with grave accuracy the time 
of his residence in each. It was 

[16] 



then that the wag in the crowd 
(now remembered solely for that 
happy stroke of wit) observed 
that the gentleman from over 
seas was an hundred and sixteen 
years old, forsooth. Poor old 
enthusiast! Guileless Mathurin! 
Not a wilful Munchausen, my 
children, but how hopelessly en- 
tangled now in his own venial fab- 
rications ! 



[17] 



Ill 

TipROM the eventful day that 
•*- M. Giron first set foot in 
the streets of Lexington, the trade 
of a confectionary was for him vo- 
cation and avocation alike. And 
the records are there to prove it. 
Hovir he strove with tessellated 
fortune, against debt and mort- 
gage, in good days and ill, through 
plenty and pestilence, goes to 
form the homely tale of life's fe- 
ver. He is heard of first in 1811, 
when, to meet the increasing la- 
bours of his calling, he thought 
of an apprentice. He articled one 
accordingly (journeymen were 
not yet become obsolete), Fran- 
cis Rennals, by name, a youth of 
eighteen summers, who was to 
find in M. Giron a master well dis- 

[18] 



posed and kindly. The apprentice 
bond, aside from him, has an ar- 
chaic interest of its own, illustra- 
tive of olden times and customs. 
The indenture as recorded 

Witnesseth, that Francis Rennals aged 
eighteen years is bound apprentice to said 
Mathurin Giron until he arrives at the 
age of twenty-one years, who is to teach 
him or cause him to be taught the trade 
of a confectionary in a masterly and 
workmanlike manner, also reading, writ- 
ing and Arithmetic, including the rule of 
three with propriety; and at the expira- 
tion of said apprenticeship is to furnish 
said apprentice with a decent new suit of 
Clothes in addition to his common wear- 
ing apparel & pay him in specie three 
pounds ten shillings, and during said ap- 
prenticeship is to observe toward said 
apprentice a proper and becoming treat- 
ment and behaviour and such other duties 
as the law prescribes. 

Following the terse and meagre 
records on through the years, it 
will be found that M. Giron first 
had for partner in the trade a cer- 
tain Henry Terrass who had been 
a confectioner before this connec- 

[19] 



tion was formed. That was in 
1811. Their shop stood then as 
now on Mill Street near Short, a 
small wooden structure twenty- 
two feet of front, and doubtless 
bore the firm name, Terrass & Gi- 
ron, above the door. Next it will 
be discovered that a Mr. Peter 
John Robert succeeded to the 
place of coowner, to share and 
share alike in either profits or 
losses according as fate decreed. 
Now it was Giron & Company — a 
much more sounding name. But 
that, too, was to give way to 
change and leave at length M. 
Mathurin Giron, confectionary, as 
sole proprietor and manager. 

Fortune favoured the little 
Frenchman, and not long after he 
had bought an interest in the 
house on Mill Street — in 1818, to 
be exact, — he purchased another, 
twenty-four feet wide and of brick, 

[20] 



on Short Street. His Confection- 
ery was near Short Street with 
only one building between his 
house and the corner, and his new 
purchase was just behind this cor- 
ner building, and in close prox- 
imity to the Confectionery itself. 
The lots were joined in the rear, 
forming a right angle. The upper 
rooms of these two buildings were 
destined to become the famous 
Ball-Rooms of M. Giron; for the 
deed-book of 1829 has been found 
to refer to the brick house on 
Short Street as "being the house 
at present used by the said Giron 
as a Ball room and a Supper 
room." 

Just when the present Confec- 
tionery was erected can not now 
be said with accuracy. Referring 
again to the records, it will be 
learned that in 1829 the same 
wooden frame building "23 feet by 

[21] 



50 feet back, now occupied by said 
Giron as a confectionery and 
dwelling house," was still standing 
on Mill Street. Not long after- 
wards, however, probably very 
soon thereafter, an adjoining lot, 
twenty-two feet in width, was ac- 
quired by M. Giron, and the pres- 
ent attractive old weather-worn 
building of brick was put up on 
the combined space of forty-four 
feet. It stands now just as it was, 
just as M. Giron built it, save for 
a balcony of iron lace along the 
upper story in front. On this bal- 
cony the dancers were used to 
come to cool between the sets; 
and on circus days and during all 
pageants it was crowded with 
spectators to better see the Ble- 
phant and other "natural curiosi- 
ties." There are halls in the cen- 
tre below and above; the confec- 
tionery shop was on the lower 

[23] 



floor; and the ball-rooms were 
above it, extending back, with 
great panelled folding doors of 
some beautiful wood between 
them, opening to the high ceiling. 
There was a vast open fireplace in 
each room, with mantel-pieces 
made of cherry-wood, and sup- 
ported by graceful columns. 

The style of architecture em- 
ployed is unusual, dignified, and 
symmetrical. With its air of 
sturdy grace, the old Confection- 
ery looks as if designed by Gid- 
eon Shryock who conceived Mor- 
rison College, of Transylvania, and 
the old State Capitol at Frankfort. 
The semi-classical note of the 
Tuscan pilasters along the front is 
strongly suggestive of this gifted 
Kentucky architect of the first 
half of the eighteenth century. 
For its simple attractiveness, just 
as for its interest as a survivor of 

[23] 



a period that is past but never to 
be forgotten, around which hover 
many associations not possible 
now to another, this aged remnant 
of days long dead must remain as 
a sort of shrine for all lovers of 
Lexington's history. 

In its appointments, M. Giron's 
Confectionery was well up with 
any of its time. For those curi- 
ous of its contents may be men- 
tioned, from a list of record in the 
Fayette Court House, the follow- 
ing accessories: for furnishings, 1 
side board, 3 Carpets, 4 Bureaus, 
3 Settles, 6 Beds & Bedding, 10 
Looking Glasses, 14 Tables, 17 
doz. Chairs, and 1 fine mantel time 
piece; for china and glass, 140 
Glass Jars, 13 Glass stands, 800 
bottles, 12 Demi-johns, 24 Decan- 
ters, 2 Sets of China, 22 doz. 
plates, and 50 dishes; for silver, 6 
doz. Silver Tea Spoons, 2 doz. Sil- 

[24 1 



ver Table Spoons, 1 doz. Gilt Sil- 
ver forks, 1 Tea pot of Silver, 1 
Silver cream pot 28 Ounces, 4 
large Gravy Spoons, 1 Silver 
Gravy boat 22 Oz., and 2 Silver 
Ladles. Verily, a fine array and a 
splendid establishment! 

Upon this site has been a con- 
fectionery for over a century. It 
is a long period of continuous du- 
ration for so fragile a trade, but 
there have been but four people in 
charge of it — Terrass, Giron, Rear- 
don, and Norris. 

During M. Giron's proprietor- 
ship, he always served the suppers 
at the balls given in his rooms 
above, and was caterer at many a 
famous banquet. It was he, and 
none other, who made the wonder- 
ful cake, all round and rich and 
high, for the Marquis Fayette, and 
covered it with a brilliantly beau- 
tiful flag of tinted icing in red and 

[25] 



white and blue. These spacious 
rooms were used also, and many's 
the time, as a meeting place by- 
political clubs; especially to be 
mentioned, as tradition has it, dur- 
ing the high tide of Mr. Clay's ca- 
reer, and through the heated cam- 
paigns of Martin Van Buren and 
William Henry Harrison. And 
therein plays were sometimes 
acted. If the truth were known 
it might be possible to mention 
many a noted player who had trod 
those boards and fretted his little 
hour on the stage. 



[ 26 



IV 

AFTER the dissolution of tlie 
firm of Giron & Company, 
M. Giron continued the trade 
alone with more or less success 
until the ever memorable year of 
1833. Lexington was not then the 
Lexington that he had known 
first: he had seen the growth of 
her University, the ingress of the 
first railroad, the spread of her 
distinction, and the distinction of 
her public men. He had seen all; 
he had contributed his part — a fine 
and notable part — toward the up- 
building of this, the metropolis of 
the West. He had, and others 
had; and the dawning of the sum- 
mer of 1833 found them dreaming 
big dreams and seeing visions of 

[27] 



greater things to be. "Yes, the 
summer of 1833 was at hand, and 
there must be new pleasures, new 
luxuries; for Lexington was the 
Athens of the West and the Ken- 
tucky Birmingham." 

Close upon the growth of 
wealth and education was that of 
a brilliant society. Travellers of 
this period pronounced Lexington 
one of the best built and most 
fashionable of places; and in hos- 
pitality, manners, and intellectual 
attainments, no whit below the 
more pretentious of the Eastern 
cities. Thus, notwithstanding the 
bitter polemical contentions and 
sectarian prejudices, and despite 
the puritan element, deep-rooted, 
and ever threatening to wipe out 
the mere suggestion of pleasure, 
pleasure continued. Those who 
read the Observer and Reporter of 
March 28th, 1833, saw this an- 

[28 1 



nouncement, printed in italics un- 
der a bold heading: 

DANCING SCHOOL 

Mr. Xaupi, a native of France, having 
been for a great many years a resident of 
Virginia, and now in Louisville, respect- 
fully informs the Ladles and Gentlemen 
of this City and its vicinity, that he will 
open on Saturdav, 8th dav of April next, 
a DANCING ACADEMY in this place, 
where he will he in a fezv days, and at- 
tend to the calls of all the persons who 
will favour him with their patronage. 

If an experience of a great many years 
in his profession, assiduity, the utmost 
exertions for the progress of the pupils 
entrusted to his care, and the best recom- 
mendations, can entitle a person to patron- 
age, Mr. Xaupi feels perfectly confident, 
that he shall obtain it in Lexington, and 
zvill be very grateful for it. 

Mr. Xaupi and family intend to settle 
permanently in this place. 

M. Xaupi had realised the op- 
portunities for practising his pro- 
fession in America, and upon his 
arrival in this country settled in 
aristocratic, pleasure-loving old 
Virginia. He resided there for 
several years, until, fascinated by 

[29] 



the reports from the Transylvania 
Country, he decided to follow the 
wave of emigration to that happy 
land of plenty and contentment, 
where his sad little life was so 
soon to become a memory. 

Those who read the notice from 
M. Xaupi on the twenty-eighth of 
March found the same announce- 
ment in the next issue of April 
the third. Among them were 
Mme. Blaique and Mr. P. Jones. 
Now this Mme. Blaique, lately of 
France, had taught a dancing class 
at Lexington in recent times, as 
had P. Jones, and seeing their 
rights disputed by a new-comer, 
they respectfully announced their 
intentions of continuing their danc- 
ing academies just as before. 

Mr. Jones notified his patrons 
through the Observer and Reporter 
that his class at Mr. L. Taylor's 
ball-room "on Main Street, near 

[30] 



the Postoffice," would be opened 
on Saturday the thirteenth of 
April, and that he would conduct 
classes "for young ladies and mas- 
ters" and an evening school for 
gentlemen. In addition to these 
classes, one would be opened for 
gentlemen who desired to become 
acquainted with that delightful in- 
strument, the violin. 

And Mme. Blaique tendered her 
thanks, as well, for patronage in 
the past. She placed in the same 
paper a very flattering article con- 
cerning her ability from the 
Bardstown Herald, in which town 
she had recently given dancing 
lessons with so much success and 
satisfaction. She was to have two 
classes, also, one for young ladies, 
and one for young gentlemen. 
"Waltzes, Galopedes, Cotillions, 
and all fashionable modes of danc- 
ing" would be taught. 

[31] 



During the month M. Xaupi ar- 
rived at Lexington. He arranged 
in good time with his compatriot, 
M. Giron, to have his headquarters 
in the Giron Ball-Rooms above 
the Confectionery, and further 
prosecuted his campaign by insert- 
ing the following observations 
upon genteel deportment in the 
Observer and Reporter, putting par- 
ticular stress upon dancing, the 
fecund source, according to him, 
of all gentility: 



In presenting my respects to the La- 
dies and Gentlemen of Lexington, I beg 
to submit to their patronage my inten- 
tion of opening a Dancing Academy, 
zvherein my particular attention shall be 
devoted to the pupils entrusted to my 
care, for the purpose of acquiring a 
knowledge of the Art I teach — an Art, 
which, reviewed in its proper light, must 
be acknowledged as a genteel accomplish- 
ment, absolutely essential to those whose 
lot it is, or in future may be, to move 
in the polite circles of society, and which 
has ever been considered an accompani- 
ment to, if not a necessary part of, a 
finished education. 



[ 32 



In this institution. Dancing will he 
taught according to the acknowledged 
rules of the Art, and the greatest care 
shall ahi'ays be taken to inculcate a gen- 
teel deportment to the scholars, and im- 
part to them proper manners of civility. 

Experience daily shews, that the dis- 
tinguished regard which is invariably paid 
to well educated youths, is the result of 
proper instruction and attention. Indif- 
ference, if not contempt, is the lot of 
those who are ignorant of the manners 
of civility, ivhich are indispensably nec- 
essary, not only in private company and 
public assemblies, but also in our general 
intercourse zvith the zvorld. They should 
be observed, even in the casual meeting 
of our most intimate acquaintance. By 
adhering to the rules of politeness, re- 
spect and decency are preserved — and a 
person zvho will particularly observe them, 
must not only obtain self gratification, 
but also the esteem and consideration of 
others. 

The accomplishment of dancing is the 
main source from which these benefits 
are derived — the utility and advantages of 
this excellent Art, are incontestable. In- 
nocent pleasure, gratification and_ promo- 
tion of health are combined in its prac- 
tice. 

Besides this dancing class, M. 
Xaupi planned to have each month 
a great ball, a Cotillion Party, most 
beautiful to see. The first of these 



33 



was given on May the third. The 
ladies who had received invitation- 
tickets were expected to attend the 
May Ball, and the gentlemen were 
informed that they might obtain 
admission cards at Mr. Giron's 
Confectionery and at Mr. Postle- 
thwaite's Tavern. 

The second (and last) Cotillion 
Party was on May the thirtieth; 
and this, following, is the last an- 
nouncement that the poor little 
Xaupi ever made — printed in beau- 
tiful italics: 

The Ladies and Gentlemen of Lexing- 
ton are respectfully informed that a Co- 
tillion Party will be held next Thursday 
SotJi inst. in my Dancing Rooms at Mr. 
Giron's. The Ball zvill open at eight 
o'clock. 

Tickets for gentlemen will be delivered 
at Mr. Giron's. Good music may be ex- 
pected. 

— Xaupi. 

Time soon flew around to the 
thirtieth; "the day passed, the 

[34] 



night came on, and M. Xaupi gave 
his brilliant ball." It was a great 
event in social circles, Ken- 
tucky's fairest were present, and 
with them rival beauties, their vis- 
itors, from other States. "The 
men came in blue cloth coats with 
brass buttons, buff waistcoats, and 
laced and ruffled shirts; the ladies 
came in white satins with ethereal 
silk overdresses, embroidered in 
the figure of a gold beetle or an 
oak leaf of green. The walls of 
the ball-room were painted to rep- 
resent landscapes of blooming 
orange-trees, set here and there in 
clustering tubs; and the chande- 
liers and sconces were lighted 
with innumerable wax-candles, 
yellow and green and rose." 

What a time for the flocking to- 
gether of local Brummels and 
Beau Nashes! What a gathering 
of the fair and fickle — prinked 

[35] 



and powdered ladies in patches and 
laces and jewels! Old King Solo- 
mon attended M. Xaupi's ball too, 
but "in his own way and in his 
proper character, being drawn to 
the place for the purpose of seeing 
the fine ladies arrive and float in 
like large white moths of the sum- 
mer night; of looking in through 
the open windows at the many col- 
oured waxen lights and the snowy 
arms and shoulders; of having 
blown out to him the perfume and 
the music; not worthy to go in, 
being the lowest of the low, but 
attending from a doorstep of the 
street opposite." 

This ball was the gay prede- 
cessor of a gloomy aftermath, the 
most melancholy in the annals of 
Kentucky — nay, the Mardi Gras of 
the summer of '33. "While the 
bows were still darting across the 
strings, out of the low, red east 

[36] 



there shot a long, tremulous bow 
of light up towards the zenith. 
And then, could human sight have 
beheld the invisible, it might have 
seen hovering over the town, over 
the ball-room, over M. Xaupi, the 
awful presence of the plague." 

"Poor old Xaupi — poor little 
Frenchman! Whirled as a gamin 
of Paris through the mazes of the 
Revolution, and lately come all the 
way to Lexington to teach the 
people how to dance. Hop about 
blithely on thy dry legs, basking 
this night in the waxen radiance 
of manners and melodies and 
graces ! Where will be thy tunes 
and airs to-morrow? Ay, smile 
and prompt away! On and on I 
Swing corners, ladies and gentle- 
men! Form the basket! Hands 
all around !" 

The cholera came on apace, and 
with fury. The dread days of the 

[37] 



London pestilence were to be re- 
peated in Kentucky. The streets 
were now emptied by death and 
by flight. The busy hum was 
hushed. Hundreds were swept 
away. M. Xaupi was among the 
first. Old King Solomon of Ken- 
tucky, the big-hearted, the much- 
persecuted, the loathed and re- 
viled, laid him to rest in the old 
Baptist burying ground, where 
came at that solemn hour all 
creeds and all parties. 



[38] 



BUT the plague was not ever- 
lasting. Toward the autumn, 
its ravages lessened and finally 
subsided, just as in the greater 
plague of 1665. M. Giron, like the 
good Grocer of Wood Street, with 
his wife and daughter escaped. 
Those who had fled were now re- 
turned. The grass was cut from 
the streets; business was resumed; 
sorrows and losses began to be 
forgotten. The more fortunate 
helped the less fortunate; and 
King Solomon received his "coro- 
nation." 

M. Giron, after experiencing 
many degrees of fortune, at last 
obtained an unshared title to his 
property. The days that now 
came were happy; his wife, Phil- 

[39] 



berte (the daughter of a worthy 
citizen-Frenchman, M. Vimont, of 
Millersburg, Bourbon County), 
was a sweet-tempered companion; 
his daughter, Cecilia, grew to be a 
very beautiful lady. 

Years passed on as they must, 
and M. Giron grew old. His 
daughter had married and moved 
away, as daughters will, and 
should, and Mme. Philberte had 
donned the cap and shawl. The 
life of a confectionary was a hard 
one now for the master and he 
must soon give it up. In 1844 he 
chose to seek retirement. Then it 
was that he sold his Confectionery 
and departed forever from Mill 
Street. Let it be hoped that he 
sold it, not to answer the im- 
placable call of debt, but of his 
own good will, thinking to have a 
quieter and less arduous life. 

Let the final picture of him be 

[40] 



that of one independent of char- 
ity, a town magnate, reposing in 
well-earned ease upon a comfort- 
able fortune, built up by active and 
unceasing labour — a man of note 
and counsel, whose heaviest duties 
were to sit with a friendly pipe 
among his fellows, given to much 
harking back to olden times, and 
to the making of prophecies of 
better days to come. Think of 
him and good Philberte as await- 
ing their summons in happy, un- 
tiring love, at peace with the world 
and all men. 



His day zvas done, and the sands had run 
Through the measuring glass so long. 

That now there was left to his setting sun, 
But a pipe, and a howl, and a song. 



His grave in the old burying 
ground has long since been erased. 
No record in metal or stone pro- 

41 



claims the legend of his mortal 
strivings. But the old Confection- 
ery! Will it be to him a fitting and 
lasting monument in this world of 
transient memories? Ah, no. Yet 
in the book of The Flute and Vio- 
lin will he have his lasting epitaph, 
monumentum c^re perennius to the 
memory of M. Giron — him who 
scattered the sweets of life along 
his way. 



42 



Of this book two hundred copies have been printed, 
at Charlottesville, Virginia, by The Michie Company, 
in the month of December, nineteen hundred and 
fifteen. This is number 




LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



002 732 489 7 



